Quality of service enhancement for wireless relay networks

ABSTRACT

Multiple relays are different distances from their respective donor access nodes. The donor and relay path selected for a user&#39;s traffic is selected based on the priority associated with that user and a ratio of a channel quality indicator and the distance of the donor-relay link. Traffic associated with a higher priority user is routed via a path with a good channel quality indicator to distance ratio whereas traffic for other, lower QoS profile, users does not take channel quality or relay-to-donor distance into account.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Wireless communication may be used as a means of accessing a network.Wireless communication has certain advantages over wired communicationsfor accessing a network. One of those advantages is a lower cost ofinfrastructure to provide access to many separate locations or addressescompared to wired communications. This is the so-called “last mile”problem. Another advantage is mobility. Wireless communication devices,such as cell phones, are not tied by wires to a fixed location. To usewireless communication to access a network, a customer needs to have atleast one transceiver in active communication with another transceiverthat is connected to the network.

To facilitate wireless communications, the Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) has promulgated a number of wirelessstandards. These include the 802.11 (WiFi) standards and the 802.16(WiMAX) standards. Likewise, the International Telecommunication Union(ITU) has promulgated standards to facilitate wireless communications.This includes TIA-856, which is also known as Evolution-Data Optimized(EV-DO). The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) hasalso promulgated a standard known as long term evolution (LTE).Additional standards such as the fourth generation communication system(4G) are also being pursued. These standards pursue the aim of providinga comprehensive IP solution where voice, data, and streamed multimediacan be given to users on an “anytime, anywhere” basis. These standardsalso aim to provide higher data rates than previous generations. All ofthese standards may include specifications for various aspects ofwireless communication with a network. These aspects include processesfor registering on the network, carrier modulation, frequency bands ofoperation, and message formats.

Relay nodes can be provided in 4G networks to increase capacity andexpand coverage area by facilitating communication between wirelessdevices and access nodes. For example, a relay access node can establisha backhaul link with a donor access node. The relay access node canestablish access links with one or more wireless devices. This canimprove the capacity and coverage in areas near to the relay accessnode—particularly when the relay access node is near the edge of thedonor access node's coverage area.

OVERVIEW

In an embodiment, a first communication link is established between adonor access node and a first wireless device via a relay access node.The first wireless device is associated with a first service priority. Asecond communication link is established between the donor access nodeand a second wireless device. The second wireless device is associatedwith a second service priority. Based on the first wireless device beingassociated with the first service priority, and a distance between thedonor access node and the relay access node, the donor access node isconfigured to schedule air-interface resources such that the firstwireless device is assigned a higher priority than the second wirelessdevice.

In an embodiment, a first communication link between a first donoraccess node and a first wireless device is established via a first relayaccess node. The first wireless device being associated with a firstservice priority. A first wireless link between the first donor accessnode and the first relay access node associated with a first pluralityof signal quality indicators. Via a second relay access node, a secondcommunication link between a second donor access node and the firstwireless device is established. The second wireless link between thesecond donor access node and the second relay access node associatedwith a second plurality of signal quality indicators. A thirdcommunication link between the first donor access node and a secondwireless device is established. The second wireless device beingassociated with a second service priority. Based on the first wirelessdevice being associated with the first service priority, and at leastone of the first plurality of signal quality indicators indicating abetter signal quality than a corresponding at least one of the secondplurality of signal quality indicators, the first donor access node isselected to communicate data to the first wireless device.

In an embodiment, a first communication link between a first donoraccess node and a first wireless device is established via a first relayaccess node. The first wireless device being associated with a firstservice priority. A first wireless link between the first donor accessnode and the first relay access node being associated with a firstsignal quality indicator. The first relay access node being a firstdistance from the first donor access node. Via a second relay accessnode, a second communication link between a second donor access node andthe first wireless device is established. A second wireless link betweenthe second donor access node and the second relay access node beingassociated with a second signal quality indicator. The second relayaccess node being a second distance from the second donor access node. Athird communication link between the first donor access node and asecond wireless device is established. The second wireless deviceassociated with a second service priority. Based on the first wirelessdevice being associated with the first service priority, the firstdistance, the first signal quality indicator, the second distance, andthe second signal quality indicator, the first donor access node isselected to communicate data to the first wireless device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a communicationsystem.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of providing quality of service levelsin a communication system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of providing quality of service levelsbased on relay distance.

FIG. 6 illustrates a processing node.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, wireless devices in a network are associated withquality of service (QoS) profiles (e.g., “silver” or “gold”) that helpdetermine how their traffic is handled relative to each other. In otherwords, a “gold” user's traffic may be handled before (or faster) than a“silver,” etc. user's traffic in order to provide a better experience tothe gold user. To help improve the quality of experience seen by userswith high QoS profiles, traffic destined for a high QoS profile wirelessdevice via a relay access node is scheduled taking into account thedistance the access node relay is from the donor access node. In otherwords, gold users are given a higher priority than other users whenallocating air-interface resources being sent via a relay access nodethat is far from the donor access node. This helps improve the golduser's experience when compared to other users by compensating, at leastpartially, for RF transmission and relay access node delay.

In an embodiment, a high priority user may be able to communicate viamultiple relays and donors. If these relays are the same distance fromtheir respective donor access nodes, to help improve the quality ofexperience seen by users with high QoS profiles, the donor and relaypath selected for the gold user's traffic is selected based on channelquality indicators of the donor-relay link. In other words, trafficassociated with a gold user is routed via a path with good channelquality indicators whereas traffic for other users may not be routed viaa path with the better quality channel.

In an embodiment, multiple relays are different distances from theirrespective donor access nodes, the donor and relay path selected for thegold user's traffic is selected based on a ratio of a channel qualityindicator (or a power thereof) to the distance of the donor-relay link.In other words, traffic associated with a gold user is routed via a pathwith a good channel quality indicator to distance ratio whereas trafficfor other, lower QoS profile, users does not take channel quality orrelay-to-donor distance into account.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system. In FIG.1, communication system 100 comprises donor access node 110, relayaccess node 120, wireless device 130, wireless device 131, and network150. Donor access node 110 is operatively coupled to relay access node120 via wireless link 140. Relay access node 120 is operatively coupledto wireless device 130 via wireless link 145. Thus, wireless device 130is operatively coupled to donor access node 110 via relay access node120. Relay access node 120 is operatively coupled to wireless device 131via wireless link 142. Thus, wireless device 131 is operatively coupledto donor access node 110 via relay access node 120. Donor access node110 is illustrated as being a distance (D) from relay access node 120.Donor access node 110 is operatively coupled to network 150.

Wireless device 130 may be any device, system, combination of devices,or other such communication platform capable of communicating with donoraccess node 110 via relay access node 120 and wireless links 140 and145. Wireless device 131 may be any device, system, combination ofdevices, or other such communication platform capable of communicatingwith access node 110 via relay access node 120 and wireless links 140and 142. Each of wireless devices 130-131 may be, for example, a mobilephone, a wireless phone, a wireless modem, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone, a voice over packet(VOP) phone, or a soft phone, as well as other types of devices orsystems that can exchange data with donor access node 110 via wirelesslinks. Other types of communication platforms are possible.

Donor access node 110 may be any wireless system that provides wirelessservice air interfaces to wireless devices 130-131, relay access node120, and communication connectivity to network 150. Examples of accessnodes that may be utilized include, base transceiver stations (BTSs),radio base stations (RBSs), Node B, enhanced Node B (eNBs) and others.Access nodes may include a number of elements known to those skilled inthe art comprising a transceiver, power amplifier, combiner, duplexer,antenna and control function.

Network 150 can be a wired and/or wireless communication network, andcan comprise processing nodes, routers, gateways, and physical and/orwireless data links for carrying data among various network elements,including combinations thereof, and can include a local area network, awide area network, and an internetwork (including the Internet). Network150 may also comprise a wireless network, including base stations,wireless communication nodes, telephony switches, internet routers,network gateways, computer systems, communication links, or some othertype of communication equipment, and combinations thereof.

Wired network protocols that may be utilized by network 150 compriseEthernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Local Talk (such as CarrierSense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance), Token Ring, FiberDistributed Data Interface (FDDI), and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).Wireless network protocols may comprise code division multiple access(CDMA) 1×RTT, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High-Speed Packet Access(HSPA), Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO), EV-DO rev. A, Third GenerationPartnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE), and WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX).

Wireless communication links 140, 142, and 145 can be radio frequency,microwave, infrared, or other similar signal, and can use a suitablecommunication protocol, for example, Global System for Mobiletelecommunications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), or Long TermEvolution (LTE), or combinations thereof. Other wireless protocols canalso be used.

Other network elements may be present in the communication system 100 tofacilitate wireless communication but are omitted for clarity, such asbase stations, base station controllers, gateways, mobile switchingcenters, dispatch application processors, and location registers such asa home location register or visitor location register. Furthermore,other network elements may be present to facilitate communicationbetween donor access node 110 and network 150 which are omitted forclarity, including additional processing nodes, routers, gateways, andphysical and/or wireless data links for carrying data among the variousnetwork elements.

In an embodiment, wireless device 130 may be associated with a firstservice priority (a.k.a., QoS profile.) Wireless device 131 may beassociated with a second service priority. Other wireless devices (notshown) may be associated with other service priorities. For example,wireless device 131 may be associated with a low quality of servicepriority. In other words, communication system 100 may associatewireless device 130 with a quality of service priority (e.g., “gold”)that is designed to differentiate wireless device 130 from otherwireless devices (e.g., wireless device 131) associated with a lowerquality of service priorities (e.g., “silver” or “bronze”). Based onthis association, communication system 100 may undertake efforts toimprove the quality of service provided to wireless devices (e.g.,wireless device 130) associated with a higher quality of servicepriority at the expense of wireless devices associated with lowerquality of service priorities (e.g., wireless device 131). The qualityof service priority associated with wireless device 130 and/or wirelessdevice 131 may be communicated to network 150 and base station 110.

In an embodiment, a communication link is established between donoraccess node 110 and wireless device 130. This communication link usesrelay access node 120 to relay transmissions between wireless device 130and access node 110. In this embodiment, wireless link 140 and wirelesslinks 145 and 142 use the same frequency band (i.e., inband relay.)

A communication link is also established between donor access node 110and wireless device 131. This communication link uses relay access node120 to relay transmissions between wireless device 131 and access node110. Based on wireless device 130 being associated with the first (e.g.,higher) QoS priority, and a distance between donor access node 110 andrelay access node 120, donor access node 110 is configured to scheduleair-interface resources such that wireless device 130 is assigned ahigher priority than wireless device 131 (or other wireless devicesusing relay access node 120.)

In other words, because wireless device 130 has a higher QoS prioritythan wireless device 131, and if relay access node 120 is a relativelylong distance from donor access node 110, donor access node 110 willgive traffic communicated with wireless device 130 via relay access node120 a higher scheduling priority than traffic communicated with wirelessdevice 131 via relay access node 120. In this manner, some compensationfor the RF transmission delays introduced by relay access node 120 (andthe distance between relay access node 120 and donor access node 110, inparticular) is given to higher priority devices (e.g., wireless device130) and not given to lower priority devices (e.g., wireless device131.)

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a communicationsystem. The steps illustrated in FIG. 2 may be performed by one or moreelements of communication system 100. A first communication link betweena donor access node and a first wireless device associated with a firstservice priority is established via a relay access node (202). Forexample, a communication link between wireless device 130 and donoraccess node 110 may be established via relay access node 120, wirelesslink 140, and wireless link 145. Wireless device 130 may be associatedwith a quality of service priority (e.g., “gold”) that is designed todifferentiate wireless device 130 from other wireless devices (e.g.,wireless device 131) associated with a lower quality of servicepriorities (e.g., “silver” or “bronze”).

A second communication link between a donor access node and a secondwireless device association with a second service priority isestablished via the relay access node (204). For example, acommunication link between wireless device 131 and donor access node 110may be established via relay access node 120, wireless link 140, andwireless link 142. Wireless device 130 may be associated with a qualityof service priority (e.g., “silver”) that is designed to differentiatewireless device 131 from other wireless devices (e.g., wireless device131) associated with other quality of service priorities (e.g., “gold”or “bronze”).

Based on the first wireless device being associated with the firstservice priority, and a distance between the donor access node and therelay access node, the donor access node is configured to scheduleair-interface resources such that the first wireless device is assigneda higher priority than the second wireless device (206). For example,when the distance, D, between relay access node 120 and donor accessnode 110 exceeds a threshold criteria, traffic communicated withwireless device 130 may be scheduled with a higher priority than trafficcommunicated with wireless device 131. In this manner, some compensationfor the RF transmission delays introduced by relay access node 120 (andthe distance between relay access node 120 and donor access node 110, inparticular) is given to wireless device 130 which has a higher priorityand not given to wireless device 131 which has a lower priority. Thishelps differentiate the quality of service experienced by wirelessdevice 130 from the quality of service experienced by wireless device131—even though traffic for both wireless device 130 and 131 is relayedvia relay access node 120.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system. In FIG.3, communication system 300 comprises donor access node 310, donoraccess node 311, relay access node 320, relay access node 321, andwireless device 330. Donor access node 310 is operatively coupled torelay access node 320 via wireless link 340. Relay access node 320 isoperatively coupled to wireless device 330 via wireless link 345. Thus,wireless device 330 is operatively coupled to donor access node 310 viarelay access node 320. Relay access node 320 is also operatively coupledto wireless device 331 via wireless link 342. Thus, wireless device 331is operatively coupled to donor access node 310 via relay access node320. Donor access node 310 is illustrated as being a first distance (D1)from relay access node 320.

Donor access node 311 is operatively coupled to relay access node 321via wireless link 341. Relay access node 321 is operatively coupled towireless device 330 via wireless link 346. Thus, wireless device 330 isoperatively coupled to donor access node 311 via relay access node 321.Donor access node 311 is illustrated as being a second distance (D2)from relay access node 321. Donor access node 310 is operatively coupledto donor access node 311. Donor access node 310 may be operativelycoupled to donor access node 311 by a network. Donor access node 310 maybe operatively coupled to donor access node 311 by a link using the X2interface. Relay access node 320 is operatively coupled to relay accessnode 321. Relay access node 320 may be operatively coupled to relayaccess node 321 by a network. Relay access node 320 may be operativelycoupled to relay access node 321 by a link using the X2 interface.

Wireless device 330 may be any device, system, combination of devices,or other such communication platform capable of communicating with donoraccess node 310 via relay access node 320 and wireless links 340 and 345and also capable of communicating with donor access node 311 via relayaccess node 321 and wireless links 341 and 346. Wireless device 331 maybe any device, system, combination of devices, or other suchcommunication platform capable of communicating with donor access node310 via relay access node 320 and wireless links 340 and 342. Wirelessdevices 330-331 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a wireless phone, awireless modem, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a voice overinternet protocol (VoIP) phone, a voice over packet (VOP) phone, or asoft phone, as well as other types of devices or systems that canexchange data with donor access node 310 and donor access node 311 viawireless links. Other types of communication platforms are possible.

Donor access node 310 may be any wireless system that provides wirelessservice air interfaces to wireless devices 330, relay access node 320,and communication connectivity to a network. Donor access node 311 maybe any wireless system that provides wireless service air interfaces towireless devices 330, relay access node 321, and communicationconnectivity to the network. Examples of access nodes that may beutilized include, base transceiver stations (BTSs), radio base stations(RBSs), Node B, enhanced Node B (eNBs) and others. Access nodes mayinclude a number of elements known to those skilled in the artcomprising a transceiver, power amplifier, combiner, duplexer, antennaand control function.

Wireless communication links 340-341 and 345-346 can be radio frequency,microwave, infrared, or other similar signal, and can use a suitablecommunication protocol, for example, Global System for Mobiletelecommunications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), or Long TermEvolution (LTE), or combinations thereof. Other wireless protocols canalso be used.

Other network elements may be present in the communication system 300 tofacilitate wireless communication but are omitted for clarity, such asbase stations, base station controllers, gateways, mobile switchingcenters, dispatch application processors, and location registers such asa home location register or visitor location register. Furthermore,other network elements may be present to facilitate communicationbetween donor access node 310, donor access node 311, relay access node320, relay access node 321, and a network which are omitted for clarity,including additional processing nodes, routers, gateways, and physicaland/or wireless data links for carrying data among the various networkelements.

In an embodiment, donor access node 310 and relay access node 320 areapproximately the same distance apart as donor access node 311 is fromrelay access node 321. In other words, D1 and D2 are approximately equal(at least in terms of the transmission delay and signal strength ofwireless link 340 and wireless link 341.) In addition, wireless device330 may be associated with a first service priority (a.k.a., QoSprofile.) Wireless device 331 may be associated with a second servicepriority. Other wireless devices (not shown) may be associated withother service priorities.

For example, wireless device 331 may be associated with a low quality ofservice priority. In other words, communication system 300 may associatewireless device 330 with a quality of service priority (e.g., “gold”)that is designed to differentiate wireless device 330 from otherwireless devices (e.g., wireless device 331) associated with a lowerquality of service priorities (e.g., “silver” or “bronze”). Based onthis association, communication system 300 may undertake efforts toimprove the quality of service provided to wireless devices (e.g.,wireless device 330) associated with higher quality of service priorityat the expense of wireless devices associated with lower quality ofservice priorities (e.g., wireless device 331).

Communication system 300 establishes a communication link between donoraccess node 310 and wireless device 330. This communication link isestablished using relay access node 320. Communication system 300 alsoestablishes a communication link between donor access node 311 andwireless device 330. This communication link is established using relayaccess node 321. A communication link between wireless device 331 anddonor access node 310 is also established via relay access node 320.

In an embodiment, relay access node 320 and relay access node 321function a layer 3 (L3) relays. In other words, relay access node 320and relay access node 321 performs demodulation and decoding of the RFsignals, processes received data, then encodes, modulates, andretransmits the data. In an embodiment, wireless link 340 and wirelesslink 345 use the same frequency band. In another embodiment, wirelesslink 340 and wireless link 345 use different frequency bands.

Wireless link 340 is associated with a number of signal qualityindicators. Likewise, wireless link 341 is associated with correspondingnumber of signal quality indicators. These indicators can include anaverage channel quality indicator (CQI), a modulation and coding scheme(MCS), and/or a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode of operation.Based on one or more of these signal quality indicators, and theassociation between wireless device and the first service priority,communication system 300 selects one of wireless link 340 or wirelesslink 341 to communicate with wireless device 330.

In other words, because wireless device 330 is associated with a higherservice priority than wireless device 331, communication system 300takes the channel conditions of the donor-to-relay communication linkinto account when selecting which relay (e.g., relay access node 320 orrelay access node 321) to use to communicate with wireless device 330.Because wireless device 331 is associated with a lower service priority,communication system 300 does not take the channel conditions of thedonor-to-relay communication link into account when selecting whichrelay to use. This helps differentiate the quality of serviceexperienced by wireless device 330 from the quality of serviceexperienced by wireless device 331.

In an embodiment, communication system 300 selects relay access node 320to communicate with wireless device 330 when the average CQI associatedwith wireless link 340 exceeds the average CQI associated with wirelesslink 341, the modulation and coding scheme being used by wireless link340 exceeds (i.e., has a greater number of bits per symbol) themodulation and coding scheme being used by wireless link 341, and theMIMO antenna scheme used by wireless link 340 is greater than the MIMOantenna scheme used by wireless link 341. Donor access node 310 anddonor access node 311 may exchange these signal quality indicators viaan X2 interface. Relay access node 320 and relay access node 321 mayexchange these signal quality indicators via an X2 interface.

In an embodiment, an average CQI may be calculated for the servingwireless link (e.g., wireless link 340 or wireless link 341) accordingto the following:

${AvgCQI} = \frac{\sum\limits_{k = 0}^{19}\;{{CQI}(k)}}{20}$where k=0 is the most recently reported CQI, k=1 is the next oldest,etc. In other words, when CQI reports are made every 1 mS, the averageCQI used as a signal quality indicator can be the average of the CQIreports over the last 20 mS. In an embodiment, the last average CQI(i.e., the last AvgCQI that was calculated when that link was theserving link) may be used for the non-serving wireless link. In anotherembodiment, the last reported CQI (e.g., CQI(20)) plus some form of anaveraging function may be used to calculate an average CQI for thenon-serving wireless link.

In an embodiment, donor access node 310 and relay access node 320 is adifferent distance apart than donor access node 311 is from relay accessnode 321. In other words, D1 and D2 are not approximately equal (atleast in terms of the transmission delay and signal strength of wirelesslink 340 and wireless link 341.) Based on the a signal quality indicatorassociated with wireless link 340, the distance between donor accessnode 310 and relay access node 320 (D1), a corresponding signal qualityindicator associated with wireless link 341, and the distance betweendonor access node 311 and relay access node 321 (D2), communicationsystem 330 selects one of wireless link 340 or wireless link 341 tocommunicate with wireless device 330.

In other words, because wireless device 330 is associated with a higherservice priority than wireless device 331, communication system 300takes the channel conditions of the donor-to-relay communication link,and the distance of that link, into account when selecting which relay(e.g., relay access node 120 or relay access node 121) to use tocommunicate with wireless device 330. Because wireless device 331 isassociated with a lower service priority, communication system 300 doesnot take the channel conditions or the distance of the donor-to-relaycommunication link into account when selecting which relay to use. Thishelps differentiate the quality of service experienced by wirelessdevice 330 from the quality of service experienced by wireless device331.

In an embodiment, communication system 300 selects relay access node 320to communicate with wireless device 330 when the ratio of the averageCQI associated with wireless link 340 (optionally taken to a power)divided by the distance between donor access node 310 and relay accessnode 320 (D1) (i.e.,

$R_{340} = \frac{\left( {AvgCQI}_{340} \right)^{X}}{D\; 1}$exceeds the average CQI associated with wireless link 341 (taken to thesame power) divided by the distance between donor access node 311 andrelay access node 321 (D2) (i.e.,

$R_{341} = {\frac{\left( {AvgCQI}_{341} \right)^{X}}{D\; 2}.}$In other words, communication system 300 selects relay access node 320to communicate with wireless device 330 when R₃₄₀>R₃₄₁.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of providing quality of service levelsin a communication system. The steps illustrated in FIG. 4 may beperformed by one or more elements of communication system 300. Via afirst relay access node, a first communication link between a firstdonor access node and a first wireless device associated with a firstservice priority is established. A first wireless link between the firstdonor access node and the first relay access node being associated witha first plurality of signal quality indicators (402). For example, acommunication link between wireless device 330 and donor access node 310can be established. This link can be established using relay access node320 to relay communication using wireless link 340. Wireless link 340may be associated with signal quality indicators such as average CQI, aMCS, and/or a MIMO scheme.

Via a second relay access node, a second communication link between asecond donor access node and the first wireless device is established. Asecond wireless link between the second donor access node and the secondrelay access node being associated with a second plurality of signalquality indicators (404). For example, a communication link betweenwireless device 330 and donor access node 311 can be established. Thislink can be established using relay access node 321 to relaycommunication using wireless link 341. Wireless link 341 may beassociated with signal quality indicators such as average CQI, a MCS,and/or a MIMO scheme.

A third communication link between the first donor access node and asecond wireless device is established. The second wireless device beingassociated with a second service priority (406). For example, acommunication link between wireless device 331 and donor access node 310can be established using relay access node 320. Wireless device 331 maybe associated with a lower quality of service profile than wirelessdevice 330 is associated with.

Based on the first wireless device being associated with the firstservice priority, and at least one of the first plurality of signalquality indicators indicating a better signal quality than acorresponding at least one of the second plurality of signal qualityindicator, the first donor access node is selected to communicate datato the first wireless device (408). For example, based on one or more ofthe average CQI, MCS, and/or MIMO scheme associated with wireless link340 indicating better channel conditions than the corresponding one ormore of the average CQI, MCS, and/or MIMO scheme associated withwireless link 341, communication system 300 may select donor access node310 to communicate with wireless device 330. Communication system 300does not take the average CQI, MCS, and/or MIMO scheme associated withwireless link 340 when selecting which donor access node is to be usedto communicate with wireless device 331.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of providing quality of service levelsin a communication system. The steps illustrated in FIG. 5 may beperformed by one or more elements of communication system 300. Via afirst relay access node, a first communication link between a firstdonor access node and a first wireless device associated with a firstservice priority is established. A first wireless link between the firstdonor access node and the first relay access node being associated witha first signal quality indicator. The first relay access node being afirst distance from the first donor access node (502). For example, acommunication link between wireless device 330 and donor access node 310can be established. This link can be established using relay access node320 to relay communication using wireless link 340. Wireless link 340may be associated with a signal quality indicator such as an averageCQI. Donor access node 310 and relay access node 320 may be a firstdistance, D1, from each other.

Via a second relay access node, a second communication link between asecond donor access node and the first wireless device is established. Asecond wireless link between the second donor access node and the secondrelay access node being associated with a second signal qualityindicator. The second relay access node being a second distance from thesecond donor access node (504). For example, a communication linkbetween wireless device 330 and donor access node 311 can beestablished. This link can be established using relay access node 321 torelay communication using wireless link 341. Wireless link 341 may beassociated with a signal quality indicator such as an average CQI. Donoraccess node 311 and relay access node 321 may be a second distance, D2,from each other.

A third communication link between the first donor access node and asecond wireless device is established. The second wireless device beingassociated with a second service priority (506). For example, acommunication link between wireless device 331 and donor access node 310can be established using relay access node 320. Wireless device 331 maybe associated with a lower quality of service profile than wirelessdevice 330 is associated with.

Based on the first wireless device being associated with the firstservice priority, the first distance, the first signal qualityindicator, the second distance, and the second signal quality indicator,the first donor access node is selected to communicate data with thefirst wireless device (508). For example, the ratios of the first signalquality indicator divided by the first distance and the second signalquality indicator divided by the second distance may be used todetermine which donor access node is to communicate with wireless device330. In other words, whether R₃₄₀>R₃₄₁ may be used to select which ofaccess node 310 and access node 311 is to be used to communicate withwireless device 330. Communication system 300 does not take R₃₄₀ or R₃₄₁into account when selecting which donor access node is to be used tocommunicate with wireless device 331.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary processing node 600 comprisingcommunication interface 602, user interface 604, and processing system606 in communication with communication interface 602 and user interface604. Processing node 600 is capable of paging a wireless device.Processing system 606 includes storage 608, which can comprise a diskdrive, flash drive, memory circuitry, or other memory device. Storage608 can store software 610 which is used in the operation of theprocessing node 600. Storage 608 may include a disk drive, flash drive,data storage circuitry, or some other memory apparatus. Software 610 mayinclude computer programs, firmware, or some other form ofmachine-readable instructions, including an operating system, utilities,drivers, network interfaces, applications, or some other type ofsoftware. Processing system 606 may include a microprocessor and othercircuitry to retrieve and execute software 610 from storage 608.Processing node 600 may further include other components such as a powermanagement unit, a control interface unit, etc., which are omitted forclarity. Communication interface 602 permits processing node 600 tocommunicate with other network elements. User interface 604 permits theconfiguration and control of the operation of processing node 600.

Examples of processing node 600 include donor access node 110, donoraccess node 310, and donor access node 311. Processing node 600 can alsobe an adjunct or component of a network element, such as an element ofaccess node 110, 120, 310, 311, 320, 321, a mobility management entity,a gateway, a proxy node, or another network element in a communicationsystem.

The exemplary systems and methods described herein can be performedunder the control of a processing system executing computer-readablecodes embodied on a computer-readable recording medium or communicationsignals transmitted through a transitory medium. The computer-readablerecording medium is any data storage device that can store data readableby a processing system, and includes both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and non-removable media, and contemplates mediareadable by a database, a computer, and various other network devices.

Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include, but are notlimited to, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), erasableelectrically programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or other memorytechnology, holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticstorage including magnetic tape and magnetic disk, and solid statestorage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also bedistributed over network-coupled computer systems so that thecomputer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.The communication signals transmitted through a transitory medium mayinclude, for example, modulated signals transmitted through wired orwireless transmission paths.

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: based on a first wirelessdevice being associated with a first service priority, establishing, viaa relay access node, a first communication link between a donor accessnode and a first wireless device, wherein the relay access node isselected for the first communication link based on a ratio of a firstchannel quality indicator of a first wireless communication link betweenthe relay access node and the donor access node to a distance betweenthe first relay access node and the donor access node; and based on asecond wireless device being associated with a second service prioritythat is lower than the first service priority, establishing, via therelay access node, a second communication link between the donor accessnode and the second wireless device without taking into considerationthe first channel quality indicator and the distance between the relayaccess node and the donor access node.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe distance meets a threshold criteria.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the first communication link between the donor access node andthe first wireless device includes the first wireless communication linkbetween the donor access node and the relay access node and a secondwireless communication link between the relay access node and the firstwireless device.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first wirelesscommunication link and the second wireless communication link use thesame frequency band.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the firstwireless communication link and the second wireless communication linkuse different frequency bands.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining an air-interface scheduling priority for thefirst wireless device that is based on the distance between the firstwireless device and the relay access node.
 7. The method of claim 6,further comprising: scheduling a packet addressed to the first wirelessdevice to be sent to the relay access node based on the air-interfacescheduling priority of the first wireless device.
 8. A method,comprising: establishing, via a first relay access node, a firstcommunication link between a first donor access node and a firstwireless device, the first wireless device associated with a firstservice priority, a first wireless link between the first donor accessnode and the first relay access node being associated with a firstplurality of signal quality indicators; establishing, via a second relayaccess node, a second communication link between a second donor accessnode and the first wireless device, a second wireless link between thesecond donor access node and the second relay access node beingassociated with a second plurality of signal quality indicators;establishing a third communication link between the first donor accessnode and a second wireless device, the second wireless device associatedwith a second service priority that is lower than the first servicepriority; and, selecting the first donor access node to communicate datawith the first wireless device based on a ratio of at least one of thefirst plurality of signal quality indicators to a distance between thefirst donor access node and the first relay access node, wherein, basedon the second service priority being lower than the first priority, thethird communication link between the first donor access node and thesecond wireless device is established without taking into account thefirst and second signal quality indicators and the first and seconddistances.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said first plurality ofsignal quality indicators and the second plurality of signal qualityindicators include average channel quality indicators (CQI).
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein said first plurality of signal qualityindicators and the second plurality of signal quality indicators includemodulation and coding scheme (MCS) indicators.
 11. The method of claim8, wherein said first plurality of signal quality indicators and thesecond plurality of signal quality indicators include indicators of amultiple-input and multiple-output antenna scheme being used.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the selection of the first donor access nodeto communicate data to the first wireless device is communicated betweenthe first donor access node and the second donor access node.
 13. Themethod of claim 8, wherein a fourth wireless link between the firstrelay access node and the first wireless device and the first wirelesslink use the same frequency band.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein afourth wireless link between the first relay access node and the firstwireless device and the first wireless link use different frequencybands.
 15. A method, comprising: establishing, via a first relay accessnode, a first communication link between a first donor access node and afirst wireless device, the first wireless device associated with a firstservice priority, a first wireless link between the first donor accessnode and the first relay access node being associated with a firstsignal quality indicator, the first relay access node being a firstdistance from the first donor access node; establishing, via a secondrelay access node, a second communication link between a second donoraccess node and the first wireless device, a second wireless linkbetween the second donor access node and the second relay access nodebeing associated with a second signal quality indicator, the secondrelay access node being a second distance from the second donor accessnode; establishing a third communication link between the first donoraccess node and a second wireless device, the second wireless deviceassociated with a second service priority that is lower than the firstservice priority of the first wireless device; and, selecting the firstdonor access node to communicate data with the first wireless devicebased on a comparison of a first ratio of a power of the first signalquality indicator and the first distance and a second ratio of a powerof the second signal quality indicator and the second distance, wherein,based on the second service priority being lower than the firstpriority, the third communication link between the first donor accessnode and the second wireless device is established without taking intoaccount the first and second signal quality indicators and the first andsecond distances.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first qualityindicator and the second signal quality indicator are average channelquality indicators (CQI).
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein a fourthwireless link between the first relay access node and the first wirelessdevice and the first wireless link use different frequency bands.